Big weekend ahead for Hastings Musical Festival

Hastings Musical Festival comes to a spectacular close this weekend when local young rock bands take centre stage at the White Rock Theatre.
Hastings Musical Festival disc 2. Photos by Mary Fraser's Photography. To order a print call 01424 422815. SUS-160314-100820001Hastings Musical Festival disc 2. Photos by Mary Fraser's Photography. To order a print call 01424 422815. SUS-160314-100820001
Hastings Musical Festival disc 2. Photos by Mary Fraser's Photography. To order a print call 01424 422815. SUS-160314-100820001

This year’s festival has already been heralded as a ‘wonderful success’ by organiser Molly Townson.

Rockfest gets underway on Friday March 18 at 6pm. Judging the event will be London rock critic, Ben Thompson, and celebrated USA rock musician, Wesley Stace (aka John Wesley Harding). Wesley appears straight from finishing his latest album which contains his new song about Hastings Pier. On Saturday you will be able to catch some of the best acts in the three week festival at the new look Festival Finale, which takes place at the White Rock from 7pm.

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The audience will be able to help choose the Best Solo Act and Best Other Act, who are in line for a £200 prize to be presented on the night.

Hastings Musical Festival disc 2. Photos by Mary Fraser's Photography. To order a print call 01424 422815. SUS-160314-100609001Hastings Musical Festival disc 2. Photos by Mary Fraser's Photography. To order a print call 01424 422815. SUS-160314-100609001
Hastings Musical Festival disc 2. Photos by Mary Fraser's Photography. To order a print call 01424 422815. SUS-160314-100609001

Molly Townson said: “Come to support your favourite act with the loudest applause you can manage.”

The second week of the Hastings Musical Festival, last week, continued with every adjudicator praising the high standard of performance throughout all sections.

An outstanding mark of 90 continued to be awarded across the classes with Zoe Pennington Dance Studios excelling.

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In Speech and Drama theri were high marks for Charters Ancaster School, Bexhill, in Choral Speaking 12 and under 15; Hector Wright, Humorous Speech 8yrs and Thomas Bolton was for Monologue 15 and under 18.

Hastings Musical Festival disc 2. Photos by Mary Fraser's Photography. To order a print call 01424 422815. SUS-160314-100545001Hastings Musical Festival disc 2. Photos by Mary Fraser's Photography. To order a print call 01424 422815. SUS-160314-100545001
Hastings Musical Festival disc 2. Photos by Mary Fraser's Photography. To order a print call 01424 422815. SUS-160314-100545001

For this year’s new Folk Song category, Under 11 there were high marks for Lujane Smallman and Rachel Greaves; 14 and under 18, Hannah Gorman and Katie Louise Wren and 18 and over Claire Sheffield.

There were good marks in the Folk-Group section for Judy Atkinson/Maggie Waite and Penelope Jeffries/Crystal Greenfield/Margaret Blurton

Oscar Little gained 91 marks for Folk Song Under 11 - the highest mark in the Festival so far.

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Humorous Verse Classes were again very popular, with adjudicator Mr Philip Thrupp.

Hastings Musical Festival disc 2. Photos by Mary Fraser's Photography. To order a print call 01424 422815. SUS-160314-100445001Hastings Musical Festival disc 2. Photos by Mary Fraser's Photography. To order a print call 01424 422815. SUS-160314-100445001
Hastings Musical Festival disc 2. Photos by Mary Fraser's Photography. To order a print call 01424 422815. SUS-160314-100445001

The class for 8 year olds had 21 entries, and was generously sponsored by Bexhill Rotary Club, whose representative Raouf Oderuth was present to enjoy all the performances and to present the winner Hector Wright with the Elite Trophy presented by Janet Slacke.

Photos by Mary Fraser Photography. To order a print call 01424 422815.

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Hastings Musical Festival disc 2. Photos by Mary Fraser's Photography. To order a print call 01424 422815. SUS-160314-100258001Hastings Musical Festival disc 2. Photos by Mary Fraser's Photography. To order a print call 01424 422815. SUS-160314-100258001
Hastings Musical Festival disc 2. Photos by Mary Fraser's Photography. To order a print call 01424 422815. SUS-160314-100258001

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